scammed need help

LOL Saw this ad on Craigslist and hope the seller isn't the scammer pro OP had dealt with, but who knows, 2015 Prius and asking for $12k

 

Friend told me the dude sold him the minivan also of middle eastern or Indian guy, tall and big belly, in San Jose Hwy 280/Westfield Valley Fair Mall area. He forgot the address, but my friend went to the community carpark in a townhouse estate of that dude. Oh well.

 

was he well groomed?

 

Bisco is sketch artist.

 

LOL I have no idea. Buddy of mine didn't even remember.

Time for some fun? Goget him!

 

Get a new number. You can use Google voice for this or buy a cheap burner. Setup a meeting and collect evidence like Carfax. Get a few friends with cameras to photograph the guy and get his license plate. Of course, no show him. Take info to police if it's the guy.

If I lived just a bit closer I'd love to help. I'm in Sacramento county

 

It you type *67 before the number, it blocks your number. Or turn off caller id.
Or get an app like "text app" and use that number. I have one of those.

 

If I were the scammer, I'd fully ignore restricted calls. The scammer sounds smarter than that. Scammers don't think like normal folks. I've had a few run ins with bad people in business, did my investigations, took them to court, got judgements, and eventually collected. Was it worth the money? Probably not but made feel like a king getting checks from them.

 

If you want to catch this guy don't make amateur mistakes like messaging on your phone number. Think like a criminal. Getting messages from a number you've previously scammed would set my alarm off, if I was the scammer and wouldn't meet with that person. Have a friend text or get a new number (mentioned two ways above).

One time, I was buying a property from a seller. Things didn't go well, as part of the contract termination, I was owed money. And the seller didn't pay for 3 months after many attempts. The property was rented. The property's tax mailing address was old. I faked being a relative of the owner to the tenants, got the mailing address for the owner (out of state). I found 8 properties owned by this guy. I sent certified mail with demand letters to 8 properties. 7 of those were filled with Tenants. I got paid within 1 week.

Don't be afraid to do a little 'scamming' yourself.

 

IF you are smart, you would alert the police, and ask if they can set something up so
THEY can catch him. The guy may have a gun and decide to us it.

 

The way I suggested had no in person contact. Just phone contact and a no show. Safety first, how we, is agreed. As a stranger to the scammer, and if I was closer, I'd be ok looking at the car, talking to the guy, and say I'll think about the car.

Also good luck on getting results on this with the police without a folder of all the investigating done unless you're in an area where the police are very bored.

 

You should go with the police first. But if you have no contact, then no crime. If they catch him
in the act, it's better.
Me personally, We would set him up, then take him out. Then he can never harm anyone else.
But that's just me. It's how we did it in the army.

 

My point would be to get confirmation it was the same scammer as op dealt with. After that, collect all evidence and of course I'd suggest police or lawyer. The police can do a real sting. I never suggested a citizens arrest or anything beyond a small plot confirming it's the same guy.Thought i was clear in post #128. Sorry if it wasn't. In my experience, police don't really want to begin investigating in small things like this.

Suggesting using military experience to 'take him out' sounds silly and reflects badly on the armed forces.

 

It will depend on how important it is to you to get a criminal off the streets.
So he can't hurt anyone else.
You should always take steps to do things the correct way. People seemed to be trying
to "set him up", and then do what? Get info? That's what the police SHOULD be doing.
But it may no be important to them.
There is a chain of command. And I always do things that way. When/if it fails, I take care
of it my way. My way has always worked. But it's not just MY way, it's just the way the world really works.

Do things however you want to do them...

 

I guess my default advice is for regular citizenry to NOT pursue criminals and/or criminal investigation.
The ONLY thing we really can know about this person, whomever they may be, a similar ad is not proof of anything, is that they are willing to engage in illegal and criminal actions.
So as far as actual pursuit? I stop there.

I would speak to the police, do they have a specific frauds unit?
I might present the information you have gathered...."These Ads look similar to the Ad I responded to"- but I'd leave it at that. Let the police department frauds unit handle further investigation.

Unfortunately people get shot today for cutting someone off in a parking lot. Who knows what a criminal, who might discover or think he is being pursued might do?
And why take on the job or responsibility of that level of fraud detective work?

The OP has done a good job outlining what has happened to them.
They have found some suspicious ads on Craigslist.
That's when and where my 70's cop/detective show experience would end.

 

My advice is also NOT to pursue this, any more than sharing your information with Law Enforcement.
You may be limited/hampered by the times we are currently living in. Covid-19 crisis.

Don't know if the "news" is going to be too interested in an alleged (at this point it's still alleged) craigslist scam.
But good luck getting safely to whatever resolution you want and/or can reach.